Most records used in Canadian research are written in English or French. You need not be fluent in French, but you will need some knowledge of French to understand French-Canadian records.

Because of Canada’s history you are likely to find Roman Catholic Church records (written in Latin and French) in Quebec, in parts of Nova Scotia, and in New Brunswick, Ontario, and Manitoba where there was heavy French settlement. You will find English-language records throughout the rest of Canada. You will find records in other languages in Canadian communities where European groups have settled.